Christmas Day

 

I have shared this poem with you before and do so again. It's by Madeleine L'Engle.

In such a time a this, Merry Christmas, dear friends. 

God did not wait till the world was ready,

till . . . nations were at peace.

God came when the Heavens were unsteady,

and prisoners cried out for release.

God did not wait for the perfect time

God came when the need was deep and great.

God dined with sinners in all their grime,

turned water into wine.

God did not wait till hearts were pure.

In joy God came to a tarnished world of sin and doubt.

To a world like ours, of anguished shame God came,

and God's Light would not go out.

God came to a world which did not mesh 

to heal its tangles, shield its scorn.

In the mystery of the Word made Flesh

the Maker of the stars was born.

We cannot wait till the world is sane

to raise our songs with joyful voice,

for to share our grief, to touch our pain, 

God came with Love: Rejoice! Rejoice!

The Journey of a Fruitcake

 I really like fruitcake. This year we haven't found any in the stores up here, Costco is in another state and we're under travel restrictions, and on line they are very large and expensive. So I sighed and let go my desire for fruitcake this year. And then Dean said, "Given all that's going on, I haven't gotten out to find you anything so I am going to make you a fruitcake for Christmas." Wow! And so for three days now, he has been involved in researching recipes, buying ingredients, and making fruitcake. Enjoy the journey. 

Chopping the fruit

Fruit soaking over night in apple juice, butter and spiced rum.

The following day, the fruit goes into the batter

and the batter goes into the pans.

Decorating the tops.

Ready for the oven.

Having cooled over night, it is now brushed with a mixture of 

molasses, vanilla, and rum to give it a bit of a tasty glaze.

So when can I eat it? Right now or three months from now ~ 

or both!

Well, of course we start with now - never mind that it is before breakfast.

My present so I get the first bite.

And it is declared a triumph! 

Two rich and rummy loaves will last the two of us a long time.

Thank you, Dean. It was the perfect pandemic gift!

                                              

The Fourth Sunday in Advent

 

On the church calendar, today's theme is Love. 

This is Day 18 of my winter of gifts. A Tahoe pine, designed and stitched by Meredith. I am told creating your own cross stitch design in difficult and of course takes some time to create. 

Dean and I talked about how creative Michelle and Meredith have been, how long they must have worked on all the gifts before wrapping and packing and mailing. 

With every gift, I am reminded that this is done out of love and I am overwhelmed by this outpouring of love from my family. I am loved.

And so we need to say when we look at the 4th Advent candle. God loves me. I am loved. God's gifts are poured out daily blessing us with grace, compassion, support, caring, and, yes, Love. 

Day 17 ~ A David Doodle

This, my friend, is a David Doodle! 

Son-in-law David not only flies helicopters, he also doodles. ergo ~ 

David Doodles. 

And just for fun, his doodles are all doodle bugs. If you are from the South, you will understand the reference. And as of today, I have my very own David Doodle to smile at and enjoy. 

Creating Beauty

 

This was day 12. The picture in no way does it justice. The butterflies are gold and beige and lavender and the flowers are also butterflies and tulips. And to the side are my family's signatures. The signing started in Philadelphia, crossed the country to Talent Oregon and finally landed on my table in Tahoe City for me to love and admire. A beautiful creation from some unknown artist that will grace my shelf and my life for a long time.

This is day 14, started on almost upon opening, still unfinished but eagerly awaiting today's application. I had already been thinking it was time to get out my pens and coloring books again. Dean had even thought about getting me another one. Suddenly it all came together. Dean and Taylor created a lovely window of shelves in the solarium on which I can put things I want to have at hand - like my book of mandalas and my pens - and then there was the mandala, not too early in the process nor too late. Just right for listening to carols and coloring.

Whether we create it ourselves or recognize the beauty created by others, beauty helps sustain and grace us wherever we find it. Blessings, dear friends. 

The Third Sunday in Advent

 

Joy! Quite a reminder during travel restrictions and Shelter in Place (SIP) orders. On the other hand, the first rounds of vaccines are being delivered and applied today. 

Interesting that the gift from my family to be opened today was broken. Another reminder that even in the midst of holiday celebrations, there are those who feel broken, depressed, lonely, and frightened. And yet there he is, that tiny baby, harbinger of hope. Joyful anticipation. 

May we hold Joy close to our hearts and be tolerant and caring and gentle with each other these days. 

Day 8 ~ Another Special Gift

 

This was my gift yesterday and it is not just a book picked off the shelf that they thought mom might like. Meredith proofread this book. Did you know Meredith was a professional proofreader? She sort of slips that one in among her other jobs. That fact makes this book all the more special.

I told them it may be a while before I read it as right now I am reading all sorts of Christmas stories. Meredith reminded me that these gifts were mean to get me through winter so there was no rush. And then after our conversation, I picked up the book and started to read. Of course I did! After a few pages, which told me I was going to like the book, I put it down, reminded myself of what Meredith said and went back to my Christmas stories. 

Memories came flooding back of so many Christmas afternoons and evenings when I snuggled down on the couch and started to read one of the several new books I had been given for Christmas. For a number of years in my late 20s and early 30s, they were Agatha Christie's until I had collected almost all of hers. 

I love my Kindle and buying books for myself and there is something really wonderful about opening the gift of a book given by folks who know and love me and starting to read a new adventure. 

Blessings, my friends.